EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL OF EPIPREMNUM AUREUM ENGL. IN REMOVING ZINC (Zn) TOXICITY

Abstract

In the current research, money plant (Epipremnum aureum Engl.), an indoor plant which is a member of family Araceae was studied in order to explore its potential in the phytoremediation of zinc (Zn), which is toxic for the plant in higher concentrations. Selected plants were treated with different concentrations of ZnCl2 as Zn is known to be toxic for plant growth and development in higher concentration. Doses of ZnCl2 were applied at concentration of 10, 20 and 30ppm which resulted in degradation of chlorophyll, reduction of leaf lamina and inhibition of vascular growth of leaves and stem. Stomata of ZnCl2 treated plants remained closed with higher doses followed by overall reduction in leaf growth which was further revealed through spectrometric techniques. However, as roots did not show any visible symptom of Zn toxicity but accumulation of Zn within stem and leaf tissues (as shown through atomic absorption spectrometry) suggested that plant was capable of translocating Zn to aerial parts, therefore could be used to solve problems caused by Zn toxicity.